Noble baffled by Hammers form

Mark Noble is baffled by West Ham United's current ability to kick themselves in the teeth after they gave Chelsea a helping hand on their way to a 3-0 victory on Saturday.

For the second game in a row the Hammers conceded a penalty - the third Barclays Premier League spot-kick they have given away in 2013/14 - and Noble says the mistakes have to end.

West Ham face Fulham and Crystal Palace in two crucial London derbies over the next week, with the Hammers desperate to emerge from their recent slump.

The No16, who completed the most passes on either side against the Blues, said: "I just can't believe the way it's going at the minute. We were holding Chelsea OK and then we give away another unbelievable goal.

"After the way the things have been going this season, giving penalties away and the opposition scoring from free-kicks, this was another kick in the nether regions.

"The next two games, against Fulham and Crystal Palace, are vital for us now and we have to stand up and be counted. They will be tough but I'm looking forward to them.

"It's up to Gaffer what he does [in terms of formation]. In the second half on Saturday we had more of a focal point and it seemed to work a bit better but Chelsea were 2-0 up by then and probably took their foot off the gas a little."